The Museums Page 2012

Wallace Saage
Museums Chair
Harris County Historical Commission
wsaage@heritagesociety.org

Houston and Harris County are fortunate to have an excellent and varied offering of Museums. Museums collect, preserve and document items that are
important to us as a state and a nation. Museums present exhibitions, collections and educational activities that all segments of society can
participate and learn from.

Harris County museums teach us about our history, including the wonderful diversity of our regions inhabitants. They tell us about the wonders of
nature, the lives of people of interest, they provide visitors to the region repositories of world class art and sculpture.

Harris County and Houston Museums

A Directory

Compiled by Will Howard – January 2012

willtexana@yahoo.com

Introduction

If you are not familiar with one of the 130 particular museums, visit their website or telephone for hours, cost, and conditions.

Houston and Harris County museums of many types are included, not just the obviously historical in content. Geographically, in addition to Harris County, the museums of the seven other immediately adjacent, abutting counties are included – Montgomery, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Wharton. Only a few of the museums were assigned to more than one of the thirteen topical categories.

Additions and corrections are invited; contact the Harris County Historical Commission.

T o p i c a l C a t e g o r i e s

Art page 2

Arts – Architecture, Domestic, and Decorative page 4

Children’s Museums page 7

Colonial, Ranch, & Plantation Life page 8

Communication page 9

Community History page 10

Ethnic and Group History page 13

Life and Death page 15

Military page 16

Natural Science page 17

Professional & Thematic page 19

Technology page 20

Transportation page 21

Postscript: Notes on Compiling a Museum Directory page 22

Art

Art Car Museum

140 Heights Blvd. Houston 77007 713/861-5526

http://www.artcarmuseum.com/

Art League of Houston

1953 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006-1243 (713) 523-9530

http://www.artleaguehouston.org/

Blaffer Gallery -University of Houston

120 Fine Arts Building, Houston 77204 713-743-9521

http://www.class.uh.edu/blaffer/

Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum

4011 Yupon Houston, 77006 713-521-3990

http://www.byzantinefrescochapel.org/

College of the Mainland Art Gallery

1200 Amburn Road, Texas City,Texas 77591, 409-938-1211

http://www.com.edu/arts-culture/gallery.php

Contemporary Arts Museum

5216 Montrose Blvd. Houston 77006 713/284-8253

http://www.camh.org

Cy Twombly Gallery - Menil

1501 Branard St Houston, TX 77006 (713) 525-9400

http://www.menil.org/collection/CyTwomblyInDepth.php

Cullen Sculpture Garden - MFAH

Montrose Blvd at Bissonnet St Houston, TX 77006

http://www.mfah.org/visit/cullen-sculpture-garden/

Houston Center for Photography

1441 W. Alabama Houston 77002 713/529-4755

http://www.hcponline.org/

Houston Museum of African American Culture

4807 Caroline Houston 77266 713-526-1015

http://www.hmaac.org/

Jung Center of Houston

5200 Montrose Blvd. Houston 77006 713-524-8253

http://www.cgjunghouston.org/

Lawndale Art Center

4912 Main Street Houston TX 77002 713/528-5858

http://www.lawndaleartcenter.org/

Menil Collection

1515 Sul Ross Houston TX 77006 713/525-9400

http://www.menil.org/

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

1001 Bissonnet St., Houston 77265 713/446-2130

http://www.mfah.org

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts

6815 Cypresswood Drive Spring TX 77379 281-376-6322

http://pearlmfa.org/

Museum of Printing History

1324 W. Clay St. Houston 77019 713-522-4652

http://www.printingmuseum.org/

Rice University Art Gallery

6100 Main Street, MS 21 Houston 77005 713/348-6069

http://www.ricegallery.org/

Rothko Chapel

1409 Sul Ross Houston, 77006 713/524-9839

http://www.rothkochapel.org/

Strake Jesuit Art Museum

8900 Bellaire Blvd. Houston 77036 713/490-8117

http://www.strakejesuit.org/s/103/start.aspx

University Museum, Texas Southern University

Fairchild Building, 3100 Cleburne St, Houston 77004 713-313-7120

http://umusetsu.org/ http://www.facebook.com/umusetsu

Arts – Architecture, Decorative, and Domestic

4th Ward Cottage

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Architecture Center Houston

315 Capitol, Suite 120 Houston, Texas 77002 713.520.0155

http://www.aiahouston.org/ArCH.cfm

Ashton Villa House Museum

2328 Broadway Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-762-3933

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/1859_ashton_villa.asp

Baker Family Playhouse

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Bayou Bend Collection and Garden

One Westcott St. Houston 77007 713/639-7750

http://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens/

Bishop's Palace

1302 Broadway, Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-762-2475

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/1892_Bishops_Palace.asp

Beer Can House

222 Malone St, Houston, TX 77007, 713-926-6368

http://www.beercanhouse.org/

Custom Home, 1861

502 20th Street, Galveston 409-763-1877

http://www.galvestonislandtx.com/tourism/homes.htm

Garten Verein, 1880

2704 Avenue O, 409-763-1877

http://www.galvestonislandtx.com/tourism/homes.htm

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

4848 Main Street Houston 77002 713/529-4848

http://www.crafthouston.org/

Kellum-Noble House

1200 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Menard Home, Michel

1605 33rd Street, Galveston 409-762-3933

http://www.galvestonislandtx.com/tourism/homes.htm

Moody Mansion & Museum

2618 Broadway, Galveston 409-762-7668

http://www.moodymansion.org/

Museum of American Architecture and Decorative Arts, Houston Baptist University,

Morris Cultural Arts Center, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, 77074, 281/649-3997

http://www.hbu.edu/hbu/Museum_of_American_Architecture_and_Decorative_Art.asp

Nichols-Rice-Cherry House

1100 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

The Old Place

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

2402 Munger Street Houston 77023 713-926-6368

http://orangeshow.org/

Pillot House

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Powhatan House, The 1847 John Sydnor

3427 Avenue O, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 763-0077more...

http://www.galvestonislandtx.com/tourism/homes.htm

Project Row Houses

2521 Holman, Houston 77251 713-526-7662

http://projectrowhouses.org/

Queen Laura's Bordello

2528 Postoffice, Galveston 409-765-1700

http://www.galvestonislandtx.com/tourism/homes.htm

Rienzi

1406 Kirby Drive Houston 77019 713-639-7800

http://www.mfah.org/visit/rienzi/

Rogers House Museum, Marguerite

113 East Dumble in Alvin, Texas 281-585-2803

http://thecottagemuseum.blogspot.com/

Sam Houston Park & Architectural Museum

1000 Bagby, Houston 77002 713-655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/

St. John Church

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

San Felipe House

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Staiti House

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Williams Home, Samuel May

3601 Avenue P, 409-765-1839

http://www.galvestonislandtx.com/tourism/homes.htm

Yates House

1000 Bagby, Houston, (713) 655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org/historicstructures.html

Children’s Museums

Children's Museum of Houston

1500 Binz Houston 77004-7112 713-522-1138

http://www.cmhouston.org

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Goodykoontz Museum

3110 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77098, 713-292-0300

http://www.gssjc.org/news/2010/6-GoodykoontzMuseum.cfm

Water Works Education Center, COH

12121 N. Sam Houston Parkway E. Humble, 77396, 832/395-3780

http://www.houstonwaterworks.org

Woodlands Children's Museum

4774 West Panther Creek Dr., The Woodlands 77381, 281-465-0955

http://www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org/

Colonial, Ranch & Plantation Life

American Cowboy Museum

11822 Almeda Houston 77045 713/478-9677

http://www.americancowboymuseum.org/

American Indian Genocide Museum
11013 Fuqua PMB # 178, Houston 77089, 281/841-3028, open by appt

http://www.aigenom.com/

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

1834 Southmore Houston 77004 713/942-8920

http://buffalosoldiersmuseum.com/cms/

Butler Longhorn Museum and Heritage Park

1220 Coryell St. League City TX 77573 281/332-1393

http://www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com/

George Ranch Historical Park

10215 Fm 762 Rd, Richmond, TX 77469

http://www.georgeranch.org/

Jackson “Lake Place” Plantation, Abner

Park and Ride on FM 2004 near Hwy 332, Lake Jackson, TX 77566 979-297-1570

http://www.lakejacksonmuseum.org/index.php?page=museum-tours

Pioneer Memorial Log House Museum

1510 N. MacGregor Houston 77030 713/522-0396

http://www.sanjacintodrt.org/pioneer.htm

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

3527 Battleground Rd., La Porte 77571 281-479-2431

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_jacinto_battleground/

San Jacinto Museum of History

One Monument Circle , La Porte, 77571 281/479-2421

http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/

Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site

1702 N. 13th St., West Columbia, TX 77486, 979.345.4656

http://www.visitvarnerhoggplantation.com/

Communication

Gulf Coast Electronics Museum (recent fire damage)

1110 Winbern, Houston TX 77004, 832.264.9789.

http://billieduncan.com/Gulf%20Coast%20Electronics%20Museum/index.htm

Doc Porter Museum of Telephone History

1714 Ashland Street, Houston, Texas 77008 713-861-9784

http://houstontelephonemuseum.com/

Houston Computer Museum

15827 Thistledew Dr., Houston, 77082 281-293-7919

Museum of Printing History

1324 W. Clay St., Houston 77019 713-522-4652

http://www.printingmuseum.org/

Community History

Alvin Historical Museum

300 W. Sealy, Alvin Tx 77512, Tel: 281/585-2803

http://alvinhistoricalmuseum.blogspot.com/

Barbers Hill-Mont Belvieu Museum

11607 Eagle Dr., Mont Belvieu, TX 77580 281/385-1706

http://www.montbelvieu.net/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={386B327E-83E8-4C91-9D9A-2C24899C13D1}

Bay Area Museum

5000 Nasa Parkway Seabrook 77586 281/326-5950

n/a

Baytown Historical Museum

220 West Defee Ave. Baytown TX 77520 281-427-8768

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baytown-Historical-Museum/155432447827479

Brazoria County Historical Museum
100 East Cedar Street, Angleton Tx 77515 Tel: 979/864-1208

http://www.bchm.org

Brown Heritage Museum, Frank J.

108 Skyview Terrace, Friendswood, TX 77546 (281) 482-7390

http://www.friendswoodhistoricalsociety.org/museums.php

Columbia Historical Museum

247 E Brazos Ave, West Columbia, TX 77486, (979) 345-6125 or (979) 345-3123

http://www.columbiahistoricalmuseum.com/

Dow Office Museum, Alden B.

101 South Parking Place, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, 979-297-1570

http://www.lakejacksonmuseum.org/index.php?page=museum-tours

Fort Bend Museum
500 Houston St, Richmond Tx 77406-0460, Tel: 281/342-6478

http://www.fortbendmuseum.org

Freeport Historical Museum

311 E Park St, Freeport, TX 77541

http://www.freeport.tx.us/default.aspx?name=historical_museum

Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, Texas

1506 I-45 North Feeder, Conroe, Tx 936-539-6873

http://www.heritagemuseum.us/

Humble Museum

219 Main Street Humble TX 77338 713/446-2130

http://www.humblemuseum.com/

Katy Heritage Park

5990 George Bush Drive, Katy, Texas 77492-0359 281.391.2550

http://www.katyheritagesociety.com/ & http://cityofkaty.com/visit-us/museums/

Katy Heritage Museum

6002 George Bush Drive. Katy 77492, (281)391-4884

http://cityofkaty.com/visit-us/museums/

Kemah School House Museum

604 Bradford, Kemah TX 77565 281.334.3181

http://www.kemahhistoricalsociety.net

Lake Jackson Historical Museum
249 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, (979) 297-1570

http://www.lakejacksonmuseum.org/

Museum of Southern History

HBU 7502 Fondren Rd. Houston 77074 281/649-3997

http://www.hbu.edu/hbu/Museum_of_Southern_History.asp?SnID=1352567755

Pasadena Heritage Park and Museum

204 S. Main, Pasadena, TX 77506 713-472-0565

http://pasadenahistoricalsociety.wordpress.com/

Perry House, Nathan and Mary

109 W. Spreading Oaks, Friendswood (281) 482-7390

http://www.friendswoodhistoricalsociety.org/museums.php

Sam Houston Regional Library & Research Center
650 FM 1011 Rd, Liberty, TX 77575 936/336-8821

https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/shc

Spring Historical Museum

403 Main Street, Spring, TX 77373, (281) 651-0055

http://www.oldtownspring.com/museum-historical.html

Sylvan Beach Depot Museum and Library

604 Park, La Porte, TX 77571, (281) 471-0493

http://www.ci.la-porte.tx.us/about/heritage/

Texas History Museum of the Heritage Society
1100 Bagby, Houston Tx 77002, Tel: 713/655-1912

http://www.heritagesociety.org

Texas City Museum

409 6th Street North Texas City TX 77590 409/643-5799

http://www.texas.city.tx.org/museum

Tomball Museum Center

510 N Pine Street, Tomball, Texas, (281) 255-2148

http://www.tomballmuseumcenter.org/

Wallisville Heritage Park

Exit 807 on Interstate 10, Wallisville, Texas 77597 409-389-2252

http://www.wallisville.com/

West Bay Common School Museum

210 N. Kansas Ave. League City TX 77573 281/554-2994

http://www.oneroomschoolhouse.org/

Wharton County Museum Association
3615 North Richmond Road, Wharton Tx 77488 Tel: 979/532-2600

http://www.whartoncountyhistoricalmuseum.com

Ethnic and Social Groups

African American Library & Museum at the Gregory School

1300 Victor Street, Houston, Texas, 77019 (832) 393-1440

http://www.thegregoryschool.org/

American Cowboy Museum

11822 Almeda Houston 77045 713/478-9677

http://www.americancowboymuseum.org/

American Indian Genocide Museum
11013 Fuqua PMB # 178, Houston 77089, 281/841-3028, open by appt

http://www.aigenom.com/

Asia Society Texas Center

1370 Southmore Blvd. Houston, TX 77004 , 713.496.9901

http://asiasociety.org/texas

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

1834 Southmore Houston, 77004 713/942-8920

http://buffalosoldiersmuseum.com/cms/

Chinese Culture Center

10303 Westoffice Dr, Houston, TX 77042

Czech Center Museum Houston

4920 San Jacinto, Houston 77004 713-528-2060

http://www.czechcenter.org/

Gulf Coast Archive & Museum of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender History
401 Branard, Houston 713/692-8735

http://www.gcam.org

Holocaust Museum of Houston

5401 Caroline Houston, 77004, 713/942-8000

http://www.hmh.org/

Houston Museum of African American Culture

4807 Caroline Houston, 77266 713-526-1015

http://www.hmaac.org/

Project Row Houses

2521 Holman, Houston 77251-1011 713-526-7662

http://projectrowhouses.org/

Russian Cultural Center “Our Texas”

2337 Bissonnet St, Houston, Texas 77005, (713) 395-3301

http://ourtx.org/

University Museum, Texas Southern University,

Fairchild Building, 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston 77004 713-313-7120

http://umusetsu.org/ http://www.facebook.com/umusetsu

Yates Museum, Rutherford B.

1319 Andrews & 1314 Andrews St. Houston 77019 713-739-0163

http://www.yatesmuseum.org/

Life and Death

Health Museum

1515 Hermann Dr., Houston, 77004 713/521-1515

http://www.thehealthmuseum.org/

McKay Clinic Medical Museum

110 N Avenue C · Humble, Texas · 77338, 281-446-2130

http://www.humblemuseum.com/clinic.html

National Museum of Funeral History

415 Barren Springs Dr., Houston 77090 713-876-3063

http://www.nmfh.org/

Military History

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

1834 Southmore Houston, 77004, 713/942-8920

http://buffalosoldiersmuseum.com/cms/

Katy Veterans' Memorial Museum

VFW Community Bldg., 6202 George Bush Dr., Katy, 77493 , 281/391-8387

http://cityofkaty.com/visit-us/museums/

Military Museum of Texas

8611 Wallisville Rd., Houston 77029, 713-673-1234

http://www.texasmuseum.org

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

3527 Battleground Rd., La Porte 77571 281-479-2431

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_jacinto_battleground/

San Jacinto Museum of History

One Monument Circle , La Porte, 77571 281/479-2421

http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/

USS Battleship TEXAS State Historic Site

Hwy 134, 3527 Battleground Rd., La Porte TX 77571 281/479-2431

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/battleship_texas/

USS Cavalla (Submarine)

Pelican Island, Seawolf Park, Galveston (409)797-5114

http://www.cavalla244.org/

USS Stewart (Destroyer Escort-238)

Pelican Island, Seawolf Park, Galveston (409)797-5114

http://www.hnsa.org/ships/stewart.htm

World War II Military History Museum

3302 Canal, Houston, Texas 77011, 281-888-6012 & 281-888-6206

n/a

Natural Science

Armand Bayou Nature Center

8500 Bay Area Blvd., Houston 58828 281-474-2551

http://www.abnc.org/

Baytown Nature Center

6213 Bayway Dr., 1724 Market St Baytown 77520 (281) 420-5360

http://www.baytownnaturecenter.org/

Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education & Recreation Center

1724 Market Street Baytown (281) 420-7128

http://www.baytown.org/content/eddie-v-gray-wetlands-center

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, Harris County Precinct 4,

20634 Kenswick Dr. Humble 77338 (281) 446-8588

http://www.hcp4.net/jones/

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

4501 Woodway Drive, Houston 77024-7708 713-681-8433

http://www.houstonarboretum.org/

Houston Audubon Society's Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center

3997 River Drive Houston 77017

http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/484/MenuGroup/Education.htm

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sims-Bayou-Urban-Nature-Center/257808950344

Houston Museum of Natural Science

1 Hermann Circle Dr. Houston TX 77030 713/639-4629

http://www.hmns.org/

Houston Zoo

6200 Hermann Park Drive Houston 77030 713-533-6557

http://www.houstonzoo.org/

Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, Harris County Precinct 4,

22306 Aldine Westfield Rd., Humble TX 77338 979/245-1222

http://www.hcp4.net/mercer/

Proctor Museum Natural Science

630 Uvalde Road Houston, TX 77015-3721 | 713-453-8363

http://www.proctormuseum.us

auraman@swbell.net

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

3527 Battleground Rd. La Porte 77571 281-479-2431

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_jacinto_battleground/

Weather Museum

5104 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004, (713) 529-3076

http://www.wxresearch.org/wpmuseum/

Professional or Thematic

Dunham Bible Museum - Houston Baptist University

Morris Cultural Arts Center, 7502 Fondren Rd. Houston 77074 281/649-3287

http://www.hbu.edu/hbu/Dunham_Bible_Museum.asp?SnID=1352567755

Houston Fire Museum

2403 Milam Street Houston 77006 713/524-2526

http://www.houstonfiremuseum.org/

Houston Police Museum

1200 Travis, Houston 77002,

http://www.houstontx.gov/police/museum/

Ink Spots Museum

117 E 20th St. Houston, TX 77008-2533

http://www.inkspotsmuseum.com/

Museum of Printing History

1324 W. Clay St. Houston 77019 713/522-4652

http://www.printingmuseum.org/

Nolan Ryan Museum

2925 South Bypass, Hwy 35, Alvin, Tx 77511, 281-388-1135

http://www.nolanryanfoundation.org/

Technology

John C. Freeman Weather Museum

5104 Caroline Houston 77004 713/529-3076

http://www.wxresearch.org/wpmuseum/

Ocean Star Offshore Energy Museum

2100 Harborside Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-766-STAR

http://www.oceanstaroec.com/

Twentieth Century Technology Museum
625 N. Fulton Street, Wharton TX 77488, 979/282-8810

http://www.20thcenturytech.com

Water Works Education Center, COH

12121 N. Sam Houston Parkway E. Humble, 77396, 832/395-3780

http://www.houstonwaterworks.org

Transportation

1940 Air Terminal Museum

8325 Travelair Rd. Houston 77061 713/454-1940

http://www.1940airterminal.org/

Art Car Museum

140 Heights Blvd. Houston 77007 713/861-5526

http://www.artcarmuseum.com/

Dickinson Historic Railroad Center

4403 Highway 3, Dickinson, Texas 77539 281-534-4367

http://www.ci.dickinson.tx.us/rr_depot.htm

Galveston Railroad Museum

123 25th Street, Galveston, 77550 | 409-765-5700

http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com/

Houston Maritime Museum

2204 Dorrington Houston 77030, 713/666-1910

http://www.houstonmaritimemuseum.org/

Houston Railroad Museum

7390 Mesa Road Houston, TX 77002 | 713-631-6612

http://www.kingswayrc.com/gcst/

Lone Star Flight Museum

2002 Terminal Dr, Galveston, Texas 77554, (409) 740-7722

http://www.lsfm.org/

Rosenberg Railroad Museum
1921 Avenue F, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281) 633-2846

http://www.rosenbergrrmuseum.org

Space Center Houston

1601 NASA Parkway (formerly NASA Rd 1), Houston, Texas 77058 281-244-2100

http://www.spacecenter.org/

Tall Ship Elissa

Pier 21, Galveston 77550, 409-763-1877

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/1877_Tall_Ship_ELISSA.asp

Texas Seaport Museum

Pier 21 Galveston, TX 77550 | 409-763-1877

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/Texas_Seaport_Museum.asp

Notes on a Regional Museum List

By Will Howard - January 2012

At least three strategic elements need thought at the onset of a major museum list (1) a set of criteria, (2) a resource survey system, and (3) simplicity of annotation. The distinctions enable the list’s general understandability and hence its usefulness.

Criteria. In general a museum is here considered a non-profit organization, private or government, with a brick-and-mortar facility displaying and maintaining a collection of historical, artistic, cultural, or scientific nature that is open to the public. Purely virtual museums and commercial galleries are excluded.

Initial Resources. The below dozen links provide a basis to begin a systematic survey for the selection of appropriate museums. There is considerable duplication, but overall, the survey will add to the compiler’s particular knowledge, procedural skills, and selection sensitivities.

Annotation. The list is not intended to carry lengthy annotations. Considerable disparity in lengths between entries could lead to charges of favoritism of one institution over another. In addition, extended details, particularly details that will naturally change with some expected frequency (staff names, internal telephone numbers, changing exhibits, etc.) lead to unfortunately frequent changes in the online information, and thus burdening the commission members and county staff and distracting from more meaningful efforts. Email addresses are not included. The entries then consist of name, physical location, telephone, and website. At some future date more lengthy content annotation would be appropriate.

Possible Criteria to Guide Inclusion

Some criteria to be considered can be:

Within Harris County or surrounding counties, how far
“Brick and mortar” institutions
Websites claiming “museum” status
Open on a “regular” basis without reservation
“Strictly” historical or broader, cultural “heritage”
When does a historical structure or group of structures become a museum?
When does a simple historical exhibit become a museum?
When does an education center become a museum?
When does an outdoor exhibit become a museum?
When does a personal hobby collection become a museum?
When does a children’s activity center become a museum?
Distinguishing between a community promotional visitors’ exhibit and a museum?
What is the difference, if any, between a public facility with an educational tour, and a museum?
Overlap with art museums? If included, what of commercial galleries intended primarily for active sales?
Overlap with natural history facilities?
Overlap with amusement facilities?